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By Mugs Manry

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)

I walked in the woods to hear God’s voice because all around me other voices intruded. I looked and listened for Him, but it was the enemy I heard first. “Don’t go walking in the woods alone,” he said. “You could be lost or injured. No one would search for you. Feel fear. See threat.” I began to mentally prepare for an attack and for getting lost. Then I heard God’s voice say, “Fear not.” So, I took those fearful thoughts into captivity, and walked on.

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Today the Army is conducting a memorial service at Fort Hood for those killed last week. Since hearing of the murders, I am still distressed and upset that in a country where people can freely choose love and goodwill, once again someone has chosen hate and evil.

I am ever thankful for the brave security personnel who shot and stopped the shooter. Yet, stand in amazement at the medics who worked to save his life.  I actually told Dale, “Good thing I’m not a medic. I don’t know if I could do that.” I then asked, “What is the point of saving his life? I know the FBI will want to question him to see if it is an organized plot, but is he worth it?”

I find it remarkable that the medics were willing to save the life of their enemy immediately after he gunned down their fellow soldiers. Whether their motivation was duty to save a life that could be saved or the God given ability to love the enemy, I do not know. Either way, to me it shows great character.

Character that I seem to lack during a tragedy and immediately after. For, I do not want to show mercy, kindness, forgiveness, and love. I want the hateful individual to be shown justice, my determination of justice.

I was still struggling with these thoughts as I was sitting and listening to a missionary from South Africa, Charl van Wyk, speak in my Sunday School class. When the rebels were fighting for South Africa, they attacked his church and fired on his people. He fired back and repelled them.

For awhile he was furious at the rebels and refused to forgive them. Then God began to work on his heart. After Charl forgave them, he started a ministry of reconciliation to the very men who fired upon the people of his church. Amazingly, the rebel leader came to Christ and was saved.

Sitting there, I realized once again that I am not the rightful judge. I cannot put myself in God’s place. My righteousness is as filthy rags to God. I don’t know who God will save. I don’t know which heart He will change. Is it possible for God to bring the Fort Hood shooter to salvation? Yes. Will He? I don’t know.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Matthew 5:43-45 (NIV)

This is a difficult Christian passage for me, because it wars with my flesh. Can I love my enemy? Yes, but only through Christ who lives in my heart. Love is not a feeling, it is an attitude and an action. I must choose to forgive and to pray and to love.

By Mugs Manry

“I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

Mark 10:15 (NIV)

I watched my five-year old son squirm as the doctor listened to his heart. He tried to sit still, but today was his Kindergarten physical, and the stethoscope was cold. I distractedly listened to the doctor, but in the back of my mind I was rehearsing the “why we need vaccinations” speech I would soon be giving to my son. “Your son has a heart murmur,” the doctor said.  These words finally broke through my thoughts. I had heard these same words many years before concerning my eldest son, now a teenager.  At the time, those words had generated panic and fear, but now I received them calmly.

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By Mugs Manry

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

I walked into the hospital room prepared to face the reality of the damage caused by my father’s stroke. The left side of his body was unresponsive, and he had lost the left peripheral vision in both eyes. He could not feel anyone touching his left arm or his left leg, nor could he pull up to a sitting or standing position because his left side weighted him down. Inside I felt devastated; outside I attempted to be helpful.

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